US optimistic about dialogue: Bernicat

News Report
Outgoing US Ambassador Marcia Bernicat has welcomed
the proposal of the dialogue between the government
and the newly-formed Jatiya Oikya Front, an
opposition alliance led by Dr Kamal Hossain.
She was speaking at a press conference at the EMK
Centre at Dhanmondi on Tuesday.
Expressing optimism about the outcome of the
political dialogue, Bernicat encouraged dialogue at
every level, not only at the high level.
"I'm optimistic," she said.
The planned talks between the opposition alliance and
the ruling Awami League came as a major political
breakthrough.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is also the
President of Awami League, on Tuesday invited Jatiya
Oikyafront to join dialogue with her party at 7.00 pm
on Thursday at Ganobhaban.
Sheikh Hasina sent a letter to Oikyafront chief Dr
Kamal Hossain and invited its leaders to join the
dialogue.
Bernicat, however, made it clear that US is not
supporting anybody in particular but supporting the
democratic process in Bangladesh.
The United States is not supporting any particular
candidate, party and coalition. We're supporting the
democratic process and values, she told reporters at
her farewell press conference.
She, however, said it is up to the people of
Bangladesh to decide the fate of their politics.
In democracy, we have every responsibility to demand
our government to give us conditions to choose anyone
to lead us," she said.
Bernicat said the US looks forward to government of
Bangladesh fulfilling its commitment and statement it
has made to hold free, fair, credible and
participatory polls that reflect the will of
Bangladeshi people.
"To do so, political parties must be free to
participate in the political process without
intimidation and without fear of arrest," said the US
diplomat who enjoyed the longest stay in Bangladesh
during her 37-year career.
In order to hold credible elections, she said, there
must be a credible opposition that is able to act as
a political party.
The US Ambassador, however, said it is up to the
people of Bangladesh to decide. "We the citizen in
the democracy has every responsibility to demand our
government to give us conditions to choose anyone to
lead us."
All political parties must be allowed to hold
peaceful rallies for ensuring a credible election in
the country, Bernicat said.
The US envoy laid emphasis on strengthening
democratic institutions and governance structure for
the future success of Bangladesh.
Talking about Bangladesh-US relations during her
tenure, Bernicat said, "We have enhanced the
partnership."
Appreciating Bangladesh's progress and attainment in
all three criteria to graduate from LDC she said,
"It's a great achievements."
The US diplomat hailed Bangladesh's generosity for
hosting large number of Rohingyas.
She encouraged both Bangladesh and Myanmar to
continue working together with the international
community.
Bernicat said the US supports voluntary return of
Rohingyas to their place of origin and sought steps
so that Rohingyas can live freely and safely without
any restriction.
Asked about her Bangladesh experience, Bernicat who
is likely to leave Dhaka for Washington on Friday,
said, "I'm departing with great sense of
satisfaction."
Expressing concern at recently-passed Digital
Security Act (DSA),
US Ambassador Marcia Bernicat said healthy democracy
is linked with free press and freedom of speech.
The United States shares the concerns of the
international community that the recently-passed
Digital Security Act (DSA) could be used to suppress
and criminalize free speech, all to the detriment of
Bangladesh's democracy, development and prosperity.
She has expressed the hope that the government of
Bangladesh will consider changes to the law that
would bring it into conformity with the Bangladesh
Constitution and with Bangladesh's international
commitments on human, civil and political rights.
To a question of the export-oriented readymade
garment sector, Marcia Bernicat said after Rana plaza
incident, the sector has made tremendous progress.
The garment and apparel factories in Bangladesh are
among the safest in the world, she said.
Since 2013, with the help of Accord and Alliance, you
have dramatically transformed your garment and
apparel factories, making them among the safest in
world, she said
She opined that Bangladesh should go for high-end
products while penetrating into the US market.
The outgoing envoy appreciated the role of RMG sector
in managing the engine of Bangladesh's economy,
helping lifting hundreds of thousands of workers out
of poverty, and making Bangladesh a key player in
global trade.
"Bangladesh has come so far in the 47 years since
liberation and has so much potential to achieve even
more," she said.
Asked whether her "good office" was used for the
benefits of some political parties, she said: "One of
our goals is to present our government and understand
what's going on and figure out what's important to
the US. We meet representatives of all parties for
that."